Adjustable venting control for air valves



V'Ma'mh 1939- P. H. STAPLEY ADJUSTABLE VENTING CONTROL FOR A IR VALVES Filed June 18, 1957 $9 I f L% I 53 INVENTOR I PwuP/i STAPLE)" my ru v ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,150,136 ADJUSTABLE VENTING CONTROL FOR AIR VALVES Application June 18, 1937, Serial No. 148,929

14 Claims.

This invention relates to air valves and more particularly to improvements in venting control for air valves for radiators or the like.

In order to heat radiators uniformly in a heating system and to have them reach uniform temperature at the same time, particularly where these radiators are located at various distances from the central source of heat, it is necessary to have an adjustable means for allowing the air to escape from the radiators when forced out by the advancing steam or hot vapors from the boiler.

By this adjustable means, the venting of air from the radiator which tends to heat first may be reduced to a minimum and the radiator which tends to heat last may be vented wide open, while venting of intermediate radiators in the system may be correspondingly controlled, thus causing all the radiators in the system to heat up simultaneously.

The venting control apparatus according to my invention takes the form of an adjustable device adapted to be mounted on a radiator valve,

or the like, of any known construction or type, and it is a particular object of the present invention to provide a device which is capable of being set to allow for any venting control within the range ofthe radiator valve to which it is applied.

A further object is to provide means for maintaining the adjustable venting means in any adjusted position.

Still another object is to provide suitable indicating means which will indicate the relative venting adjustment of my device.

With these and other objects in view, my invention comprises the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements to be hereinafter more fully described, shown and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawing, in which similar reference characters denote corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a radiator valve provided with an adjustable venting device according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of my adjustable venting device;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the device shown in Fig. 2];

Fig. 4 is a section taken along line 44 of Fig. 2 viewed in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a modified form of my device. I

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of still another modified form of my device.

Referring to the drawing, 10 denotes an air valve casing for radiators or the like, and the internal valve construction thereof may be of any well known types, for example, those providing for automatic cut-off to prevent escape of steam or water from the radiator. The casing Ill has an air outlet nipple I! at its upper end over which suitable adjustable venting device IZ constituting the subject matter of my invention is adapted to be mounted.

The adjustable venting means 12 comprises a hollow body or base member !3 provided with a dividing wall or partition M. The base member I3 is internally threaded as at l3 below the dividing wall l4 whereby it may be applied to the outlet nipple ll of the valve casing Ill, and also internaly threaded as at It above the said dividing Wall or partition for a purpose hereinafter to be specified. In the dividing wall I l, I provide a central air passage I5 whose upper edge l6 serves as a valve seat. The said upper edge I6 may be punched 01f at one or more points to form recesses or notches I1 in the valve seat for a purpose to be hereinafter specified. Projecting vertically from the partition 14 are guide members or pins l8. A valve plug body or member l9, having openings or passages IQ for the reception of said pins I8, is adapted to be mounted on and vertically guided by the said guide members or pins l8. This plug body has a valve 20, preferably tapered, projecting from its lower face which may be moved to and from the said valve seat IE to allow for any desired venting control of air through the passage l5. Venting outlets I9 in the plug body, permit the escape of air that passes through the venting space between the valve seat I 6 and the valve 20. The valve plug body I9 is provided with an upwardly extending flange 2| which may be externally threaded as at 2|.

A hollow controlling or cap member 22, internally threaded as at 22', is adapted to thread on the flange 2| whereby rotation of said cap will cause the plug body l9, guided by the pins [8, to move vertically up or down without rotation, and thereby move the valve away from or toward the valve seat I6 to control the venting passage. The recesses or notches I! serve to prevent complete cut-off of venting when the valve 20 rests on the valve seat I6 and are preferably very fine, formed, for example, by lightly striking the seating edge with a punch.

The lower rim. of the said cap member 22 is normally adapted to rest on the top face of the partition.

member I3. By screwing the bottom edge of the ring 23 tightly against the annular shoulder 23,

the cap 22 is tightly locked in any adjusted position of rotation.

A suitable venting port 23 is provided in the cap 22 to permit free escape of the air therefrom.

Indicating means are provided which will indicate the relative venting position of the valve 2!) with respect to the valve seat l6. These means in the modification shown comprise graduations or markings 2? on the upper edge I3 of the base member l3, and a radially directed arrow A on the top of the cap 22. arrow B in conjunction with the word Open or the like also is provided on the top face of the cap 22. Any other suitable indicating means or operation instructing means may be provided.

Both the cap 22 and the locking member 26 may be suitably knurled or the like to facilitate manipulation.

Operation of-my adjustable venting means is as follows: a

The base member i3 is securely fastened to the outlet nipple H of the valve casing l0 by mounting its threaded portion l3 onto the said nipple and, preferably is cemented in position.

The locking ring 23 is rotated out of engagement with theshoulder 23 of the cap 22 to loosen the latter for adjustment. Turning the cap counterclockwise, forexample; causes the plug body IE to move vertically toward the valve seat, the tapered valve 23 thereon thus reducing the venting passage between itself and the said seat, and turning the cap 22 clockwise causes-the plug body I9 and its valve 23 to recede from the valve seat increasing the venting passage. After turning the cap 22 to secure the desired passage opening for venting, the locking ring 24 is rotated to bring its lower edge into tight contact with the annular shoulder 23, thus locking the cap in its adjusted position and securely against um'ntentional change; To change the venting control, the locking ring is rotated out of engagement with the said annular shoulder, the cap readjusted, and the locking ring or nut retightened against the said shoulder.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 5, 28 indicates a hollow'body or base member provided with a top wall 29 having a'suitable air passage 30. The member 28 is internally threaded as at 28' wherebyit may be applied to the outlet nipple H of the valve casing is. The said member 28 is also provided with an upwardly extending annular flange 3| for a purpose hereinafter tobe specified. l

' The upper edge 32 of the'passage '39 forms a valve seat and recesses or notches 33 are provided in the'valve seat fora purpose to be hereinafter specified. Projecting vertically from the wall29 is a guide member or pin 34. A valve plug body or member 35, having a passage 35', for the slidable reception of the said guide pin or member 34, is adapted to be mounted on and vertically guided thereby." This plug body has a valve 33, preferably tapered, projecting from its lower face which may be moved to and from the valve seat 32 to allow of any desired venting control of air through the passage 32. A venting outlet 3'! in,

An operation directing the plug body permits escape of air passing between the valve seat and tenon 33. The valve plug body 35 is externally threaded as at 35 and has an upwardly extending member or nose 35 of its upper face for a purpose hereinafter to be specified.

A hollow controlling member or cap 38 in.- ternally threaded as at 38' is adapted to be threaded on the plug body 35, whereby rotation of the said cap will cause the said plug body, guided by the pin 34, to move vertically up or down without rotation.- The cap is provided with an annular flange 39 over which the upper portion 3! of the flange 3| may be turned to prevent removal of the cap 38 from the base mem ber 28 after the device has been assembled. Means such as a spring or friction Washer 40 is positioned around the cap 38 below the flange 39, bearing on the lower face of the flange and on the upper surface of the top wall 29. Thus, the cap 38 willremain in any adjusted position and accidental change of adjustment will be eliminated. To prevent binding between the turned over portion 3! of the flange 3| and the annular flange 39, a washer 4| or the like, may be provided, which is interposed between the said turned over portion and the said flange 39.

The cap is provided with outlet ports 42 and 42 for the escape of air from the member. It also may be provided with suitable indicating means (not shown) similar to the indicating means of the cap 22, in conjunction with marking or graduations (not shown) on the turned over portion 3| of the flange 3| to indicate the relative venting position of the valve 36 with respect to the valve seat. Likewise, the cap member may be knurled as at 33 or the like to facilitate manipulation.

Operation of this modified form of my inven tion is similar to that of the first described modi-' movement of the plug body is limited by the contact of the valve 36 with its valve seat, and the upward movement of said plug body is limited by contact of the nose 35 with the inner face of the top of the cap. The recesses or notches 33 in the valve seat prevent complete cut-off of venting.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6, 41 indicates a hollow body or base member provided with a dividing wall or'partition 4B. The base member is internally threaded at 49 and 50 respectively above and below the said dividing wall. The latter has a central air passage 52 whose upper edge forming the valve seat 53 is notched as at 53'. A valve plug body 54 'threadedly engages the upper threaded portion 49 of the base member and has a downwardly projecting valve 55 (preferably tapered at its lower end) 'which is adapted to be moved to and from the said valve seat' 53 to allow for any desired venting control.

'A manipulating stud 56 projects upwardly from ber 41 is a washer 58 through which the stud 56 projects. Threaded on the said stud above the washer 58 is a locking nut 59 which is adapted toengage the said washer 58 and this serves to: lock the valve plug body in any position of rotation. Passages 59 and 60 in the plug body and washer 58 respectively permit the escape of air that passes through the venting space between valve seat 53 and the valve 55.

Operation of this modification is very similar to that of the other described modifications.

The base member is securely fastened to the outlet nipple of the valve body by its threaded portion The locking nut 59 is rotated out of engagement with the washer 58 to loosen the valve plug body 54 for adjustment. The said body is rotated in desired direction to move the valve 55 toward or away from the valve seat to control the venting passage as desired, and then the nut 59 is retightened against the washer 58 to relock the plug body in adjusted position.

Indicating means as an arrow (not shown) on the top face of the stud and markings (not shown) on the outer face of the turned-over flange 41, which holds the washer 58 in position, may be provided to indicate the relative venting position of the valve with respect to the valve seat. To facilitate manipulation the stud may be knurled above the nut 59.

It is understood, of course, that various other modifications and changes in construction and the shape of my device may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an air valve, the combination of a casing enclosing the valve and having an air outlet, adjustable venting means movable in longitudinal direction only for restricting the escape of air from said outlet, means extending from said casing through said venting means for preventing rotation of said adjustable venting means, and guiding its longitudinal movement, means for locking said venting means in any adjusted position, and means for preventing disassembly of the combination after final assembly thereof.

2. In an air valve, the combination of a casing enclosing the valve and having an air outlet, adjustable venting means movable in longitudinal direction only for restricting the escape of air from said outlet, means projecting through said venting means for preventing rotation of said adjustable venting means, and guiding its longitudinal movement, means for maintaining said venting means in any adjusted position, means for preventing complete cut-off of air by said venting means, and means for preventing disassembly of the combination after assembly thereof.

3. An adjustable venting means for air valves for radiators comprising a base member having an air passage, a control member movable in longitudinal direction only for restricting the flow of air through said passage, means projecting through said control member for preventing rotation of said control member and guiding its longitudinal movement and rotatable means for moving said control member.

4. An adjustable venting means for air valves for radiators comprising means adapted to be mounted on said valve and having an air passage, a control member movable in vertical direction only for restricting the flow of air through said air passage, means on said base member extending through said control member i'or preventing rotation of said control member and guiding its vertical movement, rotatable means for moving said control member and means for locking said rotatable means in any adjusted position.

'5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a base member having an air passage and a valve seat at its upper end, a member movable in longitudinal direction only and having means adapted to be moved toward and away from said valve seat by the longitudinal movement of said movable member for adjustable restriction of air venting through said passage, means on said base member projecting through said movable member for preventing rot.

tation of said movable member and guiding its longitudinal movement, a rotatable member for moving said vertically movable member, and means for locking said rotatable member in any adjusted position.

6. An adjustable venting means for air valves for radiators comprising a base member having an air passage, means movable longitudinally only with respect to said base member associated with said base member for restricting the flow of air through said passage, guiding means extending from said base member and through said longitudinally movable means for preventing rotation of the latter and guiding its movement, rotatable means for moving said longitudinally movable means, means for locking said rotatable means in any adjusted position of rotation, means for indicating the degree of venting restriction imposed by said rotatable means, and means for preventing disassembly of the combination after final assembly thereof.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a hollow member having an internally threaded portion at its upper and lower ends, a partition between said threaded portions having an air passage and a valve seat, a vertically movable member having a valve adapted to be moved toward and away from said valve seat for adjustable restriction of air venting through said passage, a rotatable cap member threadedly engaging said vertically movable member to move said last named member, and locking means engaging in the upper internally threaded portion of said hollow member, and said cap member to lock the latter in any adjusted position.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a base member having an air passage with a venting seat, a vertically movable member having means adapted to be moved toward and away from said valve seat for variably restricting the flow of air through said passage, a rotatable member threadedly engaging said movable member to move the latter, locking means threadedly engaging said base member for locking said rotatable member in any adjusted position, and means to indicate the relative position of said first named means with respect to said valve seat.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a base member having an air passage with a venting seat, a vertically movable member having a valve adapted to be moved toward and away from said valve seat for variably restricting the flow of air through said passage, means extending from said base member and through said movable member to prevent rotation of said movable member and to guide its vertical movement, rotatable means for moving said vertically moving member, and means for locking said rotatable member in any adjusted position.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a base member having an air passage with a venting seat, a vertically movable member having a valve adapted to be moved. toward and away from said valve seat for vari ably restricting the flow of air through said passage, means toprevent rotation of said movable member, rotatable means for moving said vertically moving member, and friction means for maintaining said rotatable member in any adjusted position of rotation. 7

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of a base member having an air passage with a venting seat, a vertically movable member having a valve adapted to be moved toward or away from said valve seat for variably restricting the flow of air through said passage, means to prevent rotation of the said movable member, rotatable means for moving said vertically movable member, and a friction washer for maintaining said rotatable member in any adjusted position of rotation.

12. An adjustable venting means for air valves for radiators comprising a base member having an air passage, means associated with said base member for restricting flow of air through said passage, guiding means to permit longitudinal movement only of said first named means. rotatable means for moving said first named means longitudinally, means for indicating the degree of venting restriction imposed by said first named means and means for preventing disassembly of the combination after final assembly thereof.

13. An adjustable venting means for air valves for radiators comprising a base member having an air passage provided with a valve seat, a valve member movable toward and away from said valve seat for adjustable restriction of air venting through said passage, guide means on which said valve member is slidably mounted to permit longitudinal displacement only of said valve member, rotatable means for moving said valve member longitudinally, means for, indicating the degree of venting restriction imposed by said valve member, and means for preventing disassembly of the combination after final assembly thereof.

14. An adjustable venting means for air valves for radiators comprising a base member having an air passage provided with a valve seat, a valve member movable toward and away from said valve seat for adjustable restriction of air venting through said passage, guide means on which said valve member is slidably mounted to permit longitudinal displacement only of said valve member, rotatable means for moving said valve member longitudinally, means for indicating the degree of venting restriction imposed by said valve member, means for maintaining said rotatable means in any adjusted position of rotation, and means for preventing disassembly of the combination after final assembly thereof.

PHILIP H. STAPLEYi 

